Top photo: Juan Sepulveda, director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, speaks from Washington, D.C., via Skype. Bottom photo: Three female pioneering panelists in the STEM fields read from a book profiling their accomplishments.

(June 10, 2010)--The UTSA College of Education and Human Development Academy for Teacher Excellence recently welcomed educational experts from across the nation for the inaugural two-day Summit on Latino Student Success. The summit provided an opportunity for professors, superintendents and educational researchers to discuss transforming STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) pedagogies and policies.

On the first day, Juan Sepulveda, director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, spoke to the conference. His comments were streamed using Skype technology software from his Washington, D.C., office.

Sepulveda discussed President Barack Obama's 2020 initiative to have the highest percentage of population in the world to earn a college degree. Currently, the United States is ranked No. 10 in the world in the number of undergraduate degrees produced. Sepulveda answered questions and invited attendees to submit STEM success stories in their universities and high schools to share with others for possible duplication.

"We want to see outcomes as a result of these critical analyses and dialogues to transform more Latino students in these STEM field areas," said Belinda Flores, summit organizer and principal investigator in the Academy for Teacher Excellence."

Another conference highlight was a panel discussion by three women who are pioneers in the STEM fields. Profiled in the book "Paths to Discovery: Autobiography from Chicanas with Careers in Science, Mathematics and Engineering," Elvia Niebla, Elma Gonzalez and Diana Marinez discussed obstacles and challenges they overcame to become professors and administrators in the areas of biology, biochemistry and global-change research.

In the final day of the conference, there were presentations on STEM policy implications at the state and national level by state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, state Rep. Mike Villarreal and Sarita Brown, executive director of Excelencia in Education.

Come out and enjoy breakfast and beverages at the Official UTSA Tailgate in Albuquerque as our Roadrunners take on the New Mexico Lobos at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. The official UTSA tailgate will be located in Fan Fest in the University Stadium Parking Lot, Stadium East.
University Stadium parking lot, Albuquerque, NM

Graduates from the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, College of Business, College of Education and Human Development and the College of Public Policy will participate in the first commencement ceremony. President Romo will deliver the keynote address.
Alamodome

Graduates from the College of Engineering, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, College of Sciences and University College will participate in the second commencement ceremony. President Romo will deliver the keynote address.
Alamodome

All UTSA students, faculty and staff are invited to march with UTSA in the 30th annual MLK March. There will be a FREE shuttle from the UTSA Main Campus. Pick up in front of the Convocation Center at 8:30 a.m. Depart from UTSA at 9 a.m. Buses return to UTSA at 1 p.m
Convocation Center, Main Campus

UTSA's Department of Music hosts Dr. David Huron from Ohio State University as part of the Donald Hodges lecture series. Huron is a Canadian arts and humanities distinguished professor at Ohio State University.
John Peace Library, UTSA Faculty Center, (JPL 4.04.22), Main Campus

The Student Center for Community Engagement and Inclusion annually hosts a Volunteer Opportunities Fair to allow students, faculty and staff to learn about volunteer and service-learning opportunities in the San Antonio area.
University Center, 1st floor corridor, Main Campus

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.